What faint glow visible near the horizon on very dark nights is caused by interplanetary dust scattering sunlight?
Answer
Zodiacal Light
The interplanetary medium, the space between the planets within our Solar System, is populated by a constant presence of dust. When sunlight interacts with these near-Sun particles, the light is scattered. This scattered light creates a specific, faint glow observable close to the horizon when viewing skies far removed from light pollution, a phenomenon specifically identified as the Zodiacal Light. This light serves as a visible manifestation of the debris field surrounding the Sun and inner planets.
#Videos
How Cosmic Dust Reveals the Secrets of the Universe - YouTube
Related Questions
What is the typical size range classifying solid cosmic dust particles?Which late-stage stars shed outer layers enriching the interstellar medium with dust grains?What faint glow visible near the horizon on very dark nights is caused by interplanetary dust scattering sunlight?Regarding spacecraft collision, what characteristic of cosmic dust causes the most significant damage?What material did NASA's Stardust spacecraft use as a specialized collector for high-velocity grains?What is the reported low particle density sometimes found in the emptier interstellar medium?Besides silicate-based materials, what other primary compositional category defines cosmic dust grains?What specific particles found in dust offer direct evidence of processes occurring before the Sun ignited?What materials primarily constitute the dust found within our Solar System's interplanetary medium?How does the concept of 'dusting' in space compare to terrestrial experience, based on density and impact risk?